Storage system

ABSTRACT

A storage system  300   a  that has a volume, manages the volume as a plurality of logical volumes, and can operate as a plurality of logical storage systems having at least one logical volume. The storage system comprises an IO transmission-reception unit  1320   a  that communicates with a management computer  100 , a host computer  200 , and a storage system  300   b  and a processor  1310   a  that causes the IO transmission-reception unit  1320   a  to perform transmission to the management computer  100  and storage system  300   b  by using an identifier of the storage system  300   a  as an identifier indicating a representative logical storage system that is one predetermined logical storage system from among a plurality of the logical storage system when the storage system operates as a plurality of the logical storage systems.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/013,562 filed Jan. 14, 2008, which relates to and claims the benefitof priority from Japanese Patent Application number 2007-18191, filed onJan. 29, 2007 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The volume of data in a computer system having storage systems hasincreased explosively, and a large number of storage systems for holdingthe data are now installed in the computer system. In such a computersystem, it is sometimes necessary to implement one processing for aplurality of linked storage systems. Remote copying technology foravoiding data loss or interruption of business service, for example dueto accidents or device failure, is used as a processing technologyperformed for such a link of a plurality of storage systems. The remotecopying technology is disclosed, for example, in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-open No. 11-85408.

With the remote copying technology, a first storage system stores datareceived from a host computer. The first storage system then transmitsthe data received from the host computer to the second storage systemdisposed in a physically remote location. As a result, the secondstorage system stores the data received from the first storage system.In a computer system employing the remote copying technology, data andprocessing thereof can be restored within a comparatively short periodeven if an accident or failure occurs. More specifically, in thecomputer system employing the remote copying technology, restorationfrom a failure can be performed by using data stored in the secondstorage system.

On the other hand, a logical partitioning technology for storage systemsis used by which one storage system is logically partitioned in order toprovide an adequate storage resource of input/output performance (IOperformance) to a large number of host computers disposed in a computersystem. The logical partitioning technology for storage systems isdisclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2005-222123. With the logical partitioning technology for storagesystems, a plurality of logical storage systems comprising storageresources and cache memories different from those of the storage systemitself can appear to the host computer and storage system of the linkdestination to be present in the storage system. As a result, it ispossible to allocate storage resources and provide IO performancesuitable for a plurality of present host computers.

When the logical partitioning technology for storage systems is appliedto computer systems operated with a plurality of storage systems linkedtogether, e.g., in a remote copying mode, the following problem isencountered. Thus, when a storage system that comprises a logicalpartitioning function (refereed to as “high-functionality storagesystem”) is to be linked to a storage system that does not comprise alogical partitioning function (referred to as “low-functionality storagesystem”), the low-functionality storage system cannot recognize thepresence of logical storage systems that were logically partitioned inthe high-functionality storage system, and the low-functionality storagesystem and high-functionality storage system cannot be linked correctly.

Likewise, the presence of logical storage systems sometimes cannot berecognized not only in the low-functionality storage system serving asan example of an external device, but also in other external devicessuch as management computers that are not associated with the logicalpartitioning function, and the processing cannot be executed adequately.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, with the foregoing in view, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a technology that makes it possible even forexternal devices that are not associated with the logical partitioningfunction to recognize adequately the logical storage systems.

In order to attain this object, a storage system in accordance with oneaspect of the present invention is a storage system that has a volume,manages the volume as a plurality of logical volumes, and can operate asa plurality of logical storage systems having at least one logicalvolume, the storage system comprising a communication unit forcommunication with an external device, and a communication control unitthat causes the communication unit to perform communication with theexternal device by using an identifier of the storage system as anidentifier indicating a representative logical storage system that isone predetermined logical storage system from among a plurality of thelogical storage system when the storage system operates as a pluralityof the logical storage systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram relating to the configuration of a computersystem of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an explanatory drawing illustrating a storage system withoutstorage logical partitioning;

FIG. 2B is an explanatory drawing illustrating main features of thestorage system in which the storage logical partitioning function hasbeen actuated;

FIG. 3A is an operation diagram that assumes that a storage systemcomprising a storage logical partitioning function and a storage systemthat does not comprise a storage logical partitioning function arelinked;

FIG. 3B is an operation diagram relating to the case where a storagesystem comprising a storage logical partitioning function and a storagesystem that does not comprise a storage logical partitioning functionare linked, this operation diagram relating to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is an operation diagram based on an assumption that a managementcomputer that is not associated with the storage logical partitioningfunction controls a storage system comprising the storage logicalpartitioning function;

FIG. 4B is an operation diagram relating to the case where a managementcomputer that is not associated with the storage logical partitioningfunction controls a storage system comprising the storage logicalpartitioning function, this operation diagram relating to the embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates the concept of operation in the case where a storagesystem that does not comprise the storage logical partitioning functionis added to a computer system operating a plurality of storage systemscomprising the storage logical partitioning function;

FIG. 5B illustrates the concept of operation in the case where a storagesystem that does not comprise the storage logical partitioning functionis added to a computer system operating a plurality of storage systemscomprising the storage logical partitioning function, this operationrelating to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a configuration drawing illustrating the logical storageinformation that is managed in the storage system of the embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a configuration drawing illustrating the logical storagevolume management information that is managed in the storage system ofthe embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a configuration drawing illustrating the logical storage copypair management information that is managed in the storage system of theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a configuration drawing of copy pair management informationmanaged in the storage system of the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a configuration drawing of volume management informationmanaged in the storage system of the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a configuration drawing of an IO request for performingexchange between the storage system and the management computer in theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a configuration drawing of a data transfer frame that istransmitted and received during remote copying implementation betweenthe storage systems of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart relating to processing during IO requestreception in a storage system comprising the storage logicalpartitioning function of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of logical partitioning processing executed bythe storage system of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory drawing of the emulation level;

FIG. 16 is a configuration drawing of a copy information table managedby the management computer of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a configuration drawing of a storage system information tablemanaged by the management computer in the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of processing of the storage management programoperated in the management computer of the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart relating to the initial copying in the remotecopying operation implemented in the storage system of the embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 20 is a flowchart relating to stationary copying in the remotecopying implemented in the storage system of the embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the appended drawings. The embodiments explainedhereinbelow place no limitation of the invention described in theclaims, and the combinations of all the features explained in theembodiments are not necessarily required to attain the object of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram relating to the configuration of a computersystem of an embodiment of the present invention.

The computer system comprises a management computer 100, a host computer200, a new storage system 300 a as an example of a storage system, anold storage system 300 b, and a management terminal 1600. Here, the newstorage system 300 a is a high-functionality storage system comprising alogical partitioning function. The old storage system 300 b is alow-functionality storage system that does not have a logicalpartitioning function. FIG. 1 shows only one management computer 100 andone host computer 200, but this configuration is not limiting and eachof them may be provided as a single computer or as a plurality ofcomputers. Further, the figure shows only one new storage system 300 aand one old storage system 300 b, but this configuration is not limitingand each of them may be provided as a single storage system or as aplurality of storage systems.

The management computer 100, host computer 200, and storage system 300(this term is used to describe the new storage system 300 a and oldstorage system 300 b together), and management terminal 1600 areconnected to each other via a data communication link 500. Further, themanagement computer 100 is connected to the host computer 200, storagesystem 300, and management terminal 1600 via a device control link 550.

The management computer 100 comprises a memory 110, a processor 120, andan I/O processing unit 130. The memory 110, processor 120, and I/Oprocessing unit 130 are connected to each other by an internal network(not shown in the figure). The processor 120 performs a variety ofprocessing operations by executing programs stored in the memory 110.For example, the processor 120 controls the remote copying executed bythe storage system 300 by transmitting an IO request to the storagesystem 300 with the I/O processing unit 130. Further, the IO requestincludes a write request, a read request, a remote copying controlrequest, and a storage system reference indication. The IO request willbe described below in greater detail with reference to FIG. 11.

The memory 110 stores programs to be executed by the processor 120 andinformation that can be necessary for the processor 120. Morespecifically, the memory 110 stores a storage management program 112, acopy information table 113, and a storage information table 114.Further, the memory 110 may also store an OS (Operation System) andapplication program (AP).

Executing the storage management program 112 with the processor 120realizes the processing of managing the storage system 300 connected viathe device control link 550. The copy information table 113 containsinformation for managing the configuration and status of remote copying.The number of copy information tables 113 stored in the memory 110 isequal to the number of synchronous copying operations (an example ofremote copying) managed by the management computer 100. The copyinformation table 113 will be descried below in greater detail withreference to FIG. 16. The storage information table 114 containsinformation relating to the storage system 300 that is managed by themanagement computer 100. The storage information table 114 will bedescribed below in greater detail with reference to FIG. 17. The I/Oprocessing unit 130 is an interface for connecting the managementcomputer 100 to the host computer 200 and storage system 300 via thedata communication link 500.

The host computer 200 comprises a memory 210, a processor 220, and anI/O processing unit 230. The memory 210, processor 220, and I/Oprocessing unit 230 are connected to each other via an internal network(not shown in the figure). The processor 220 performs a variety ofprocessing operations by executing programs stored in the memory 210.For example, the processor 220 accesses a logical volume provided by thestorage system 300 by transmitting an IO request to the storage system300 with the I/O processing unit 230.

The memory 210 stores programs to be executed by the processor 220 andinformation that can be necessary for the processor 220. Morespecifically, the memory 210 stores an application program (AP) 211 andan OS 212. The AP 211 is executed by the processor 220 and implements avariety of processing operations with the processor 220. For example,the AP 211 provides a data base function or WEB server function with theprocessor 220. The OS 212 implements the overall control of processingin the host computer 200 with the processor 220.

The I/O processing unit 230 is an interface for connecting the hostcomputer 200 to the management computer 100 and storage system 300 viathe data communication link 500. More specifically, the I/O processingunit 230 transmits an IO request to the storage system 300.

The new storage system 300 a comprises a storage controller 1000 a and aplurality of disk drives 1500. The disk drives 1500 stores data thatwere requested to be written from the host computer 200.

The storage controller 1000 a controls the entire storage system 300 a.More specifically, the storage controller 1000 a controls writing ofdata into the disk drives 1500 and reading of data from the disk drives1500. Furthermore, the storage controller 1000 a provides a volume ofthe disk drives 1500 as at least one logical volume to the host computer200. Furthermore, the storage controller 1000 a provides a logicalpartitioning function that provides a logical volume as a logical volumeof one of logical storage systems to the host computer 200 andmanagement computer 100.

The storage controller 1000 a comprises a cache memory 1100 a, a sharedmemory 1200 a, an I/O controller 1300 a, and a disk controller 1400 a.The cache memory 1100 a, shared memory 1200 a, I/O controller 1300 a,and disk controller 1400 a are connected to each other by an internalnetwork (not shown in the figure).

The cache memory 1100 a temporarily stores data that are to be writteninto disk drives 1500 and data that are to be read from disk drives1500. The disk controller 1400 a controls writing of data into diskdrives 1500 and reading of data from disk drives 1500.

The I/O controller 1300 a comprises a processor 1310 a, an IOtransmission-reception unit 1320 a, and a memory 1330 a. The processor1310 a, IO transmission-reception unit 1320 a, and memory 1330 a areconnected to each other by an internal network (not shown in thefigure).

The IO transmission-reception unit 1320 a is an interface for connectionto the management computer 100, host computer 200, and other storagesystems 300 via the data communication link 500. More specifically, theTO transmission-reception unit 1320 a receives an IO request from themanagement computer 100 or host computer 200. Furthermore, the IOtransmission-reception unit 1320 a transmits the data read from diskdrives 1500 to the management computer 100 or host computer 200. Inaddition, the IO transmission-reception unit 1320 a transmits andreceives data exchanged between the storage systems 300.

The processor 1310 a performs a variety of processing operations byexecuting programs stored in the memory 1330 a or shared memory 1200 a.More specifically, the processor 1310 a recognizes the IO requestreceived by the IO transmission-reception unit 1320 a, writes data tothe cache memory 1100 a, and implements copy processing (remote copyingprocessing) to the other storage system 300.

The memory 1330 a stores programs that will be executed by the processor1310 a and information that can be necessary for the processor 1310 a.

The shared memory 1200 a stores programs that will be executed by theprocessor 1310 a and information that can be necessary for the processor1310 a. In addition the shared memory 1200 a stores programs that willbe executed by the disk controller 1400 a and information that can benecessary for disk controller 1400 a. More specifically, the sharedmemory 1200 a stores copy pair management information 1210 a, a logicalstorage program 1220 a, a copy processing program 1230 a, a datatransfer frame 1240 a, volume management information 1250 a, logicalstorage volume management information 1260 a, logical storage copy pairmanagement information 1270 a, an input/output process program 1280 a,and logical storage management information 1290 a.

The logical storage program 1220 a is executed by the processor 1310 aand implements the processing of converting a storage ID and logicalvolume ID into logical ID that are different from those set by thestorage system 300 a. The copy processing program 1230 a is executed bythe processor 1310 a and implements the processing such as remotecopying. The input/output process program 1280 a is executed by theprocessor 1310 a and implements the processing with respect to the IOrequest received by the IO transmission-reception unit 1320 a.

The copy-pair management information 1210 a is information for managinga copy pair including a logical volume provided by the storage system300 a. A copy pair is two logical volumes that are an object of remotecopying. The remote copying processing will be described below ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. The copy pairmanagement information 1210 a will be described below in greater detailwith reference to FIG. 9.

The volume management information 1250 a is information for managinglogical volumes provided by the storage system 300 a. The volumemanagement information 1250 a will be described below in greater detailwith reference to FIG. 10.

The logical storage volume management information 1260 a is informationto be used by the logical storage program 1220 a and holds informationfor converting to the logical volume ID that is inherently held by thestorage system 300 a. The logical storage copy pair managementinformation 1270 a is information to be used by the logical storageprogram 1220 a and holds information for converting a group ID that isused in copy pair management. The logical storage copy pair managementinformation 1270 a will be described below in greater detail withreference to FIG. 8. The logical storage management information 1290 ais information to be used by the logical storage program 1220 a andholds information such as logical storage ID and cache size that hasbeen allocated to the logical storage.

The management terminal 1600 is connected to the storage controller 1000(1000 a, 1000 b) provided in the storage system 300. The managementterminal 1600 comprises a processor, a memory, and an interface (none isshown in the figure). The management terminal 1600 transmits theinformation inputted by the system user (user) to the storage controller1000 (1000 a, 1000 b) of the storage system 300.

The storage system 300 b comprises a storage controller 1000 b and diskdrives 1500. The storage controller 1000 b comprises a cache memory 1100b, an I/O controller 1300 b, a shared memory 1200 b, and a diskcontroller 1400 b. Furthermore, the shared memory 1200 b holds copy pairmanagement information 1210 b, a copy management program 1230 b, aninput/output process program 1280 b, a data transfer frame 1240 b, andvolume management information 1250 b. These information and programs areidentical to the respective information and programs corresponding tothe storage control unit 1000 a, that is, copy pair managementinformation 1210 a, copy management program 1230 a, input/output processprogram 1280 a, data transfer frame 1240 a, and volume managementinformation 1250 a, and the explanation thereof is herein omitted.

The processing implemented in one embodiment of the present inventionwill be schematically explained below.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory drawing illustrating a storage system withoutstorage logical partitioning. FIG. 2B is an explanatory drawingillustrating main features of the storage system in which the storagelogical partitioning function has been actuated. The storage system 300a has a function of providing a logical volume as a storage resource anda cache memory for improving the performance to the host computer 200and management computer 100. The cache memory is faster than the storageresources such as the disk drive 1500. The cache memory temporarilystores logical volume data and operates as part of the logical volume.For this reason, the host computer 200 and the like is not consciousabout the presence of cache memory. During storage logical partitioning,the storage system 300 a partitions the logical volumes and cache memoryof the device itself and generates logical storage systems (FIG. 2B). Inorder to distinguish the logical storage system from the storage systemprior to partitioning, the logical storage system is usually assignedwith a logical identifier (for example, IDA, IDB) that is different fromthe storage system identifier (ID0) prior to partitioning.

FIG. 3A is an operation diagram created under an assumption that astorage system comprising a storage logical partitioning function and astorage system that does not comprise a storage logical partitioningfunction are linked. FIG. 3B is an operation diagram relating to thecase where a storage system comprising a storage logical partitioningfunction and a storage system that does not comprise a storage logicalpartitioning function are linked, this operation diagram relating to theembodiment of the present invention. The storage system comprising astorage logical partitioning function is termed a new storage system,and the storage system that does not comprise a storage logicalpartitioning function is termed an old storage system. If the storagelogical partitioning is performed, then a plurality of ID are generatedinside one new storage system, as shown in FIG. 2B. After the storagelogical partitioning function has been used, the new storage systemcommunicates with another new storage system based on the ID of thelogical storage system. However, the old storage system that does notcomprise a storage logical partitioning function (for example, thestorage system 300 b) identifies the storage system of linkingdestination based on the ID assigned to the storage system. For thisreason, as shown in FIG. 3A, the old storage system cannot be linked tothe new storage system (for example, the storage system 300 a).Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, when thenew storage system 300 a is linked to the old storage system, an IDidentical to that of the new storage system is assigned to one of aplurality of present logical storage systems and this storage systemoperates as a representative logical storage system. This operation ismainly implemented by the processor 1310 a using the logical storagemanagement information 1290 a of the shared memory 1200 a and executingthe logical storage program 1220 a. This operation will be referred toas a representative mode of storage logical partitioning. The newstorage system 300 a can be linked to the old storage system 300 b bythis representative mode. For example, in FIG. 3B, the logical storagesystem (IDB in FIG. 3A) located in the new storage system 300 a executesthe representative mode, thereby operating as ID0 identical to the ID ofthe new storage system. As a result, the old storage system and newstorage system can communicate.

FIG. 4A is an operation diagram based on an assumption that a managementcomputer that is not associated with the storage logical partitioningfunction controls a storage system comprising the storage logicalpartitioning function. FIG. 4B is an operation diagram relating to thecase where a management computer that is not associated with the storagelogical partitioning function controls a storage system comprising thestorage logical partitioning function, this operation diagram relatingto the embodiment of the present invention.

Here, an example will be explained in which the management computer 100is a computer 100B that is not associated with the storage logicalpartitioning function. The management computer 100B makes an inquiry byissuing a storage device reference indication with respect toinformation of the storage system 300 a itself to the storage system 300a connected to the management computer 100B in order to recognize thestorage system that is a management object. This inquiry is performedwith respect to each port of the storage system 300 a. When the storagesystem 300 a performs the storage logical partitioning, it reports tothe management computer 100B that a plurality of logical storage systemsare present in one storage system. This report includes an ID (IDA, IDB)assigned to a logical storage system that is different from the ID ofthe storage system. Because the management computer 100B is notassociated with the storage logical partitioning function, when aplurality of ID indicating logical storage systems are received from thestorage system, the ID of the logical storage system cannot berecognized. Therefore, the report contents cannot be comprehended. As aresult, for example, the processing is stopped. Accordingly, in thepresent embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the report of ID (ID0) of onlythe representative logical storage system is enabled in the new storagesystem so that an obstacle does not occur to the management computerthat does not comprise the storage logical partitioning function. Thisoperation is mainly implemented by the processor 1310 a executing thelogical storage program 1220 a and input/output process program 1280 a.As a result, the management computer 100B can recognize the IDindicating the representative logical storage system.

FIG. 5A illustrates the concept of operation in the case where a storagesystem that does not comprise the storage logical partitioning functionis added to a computer system operating a plurality of storage systemscomprising the storage logical partitioning function. FIG. 5Billustrates the concept of operation in the case where a storage systemthat does not comprise the storage logical partitioning function isadded to a computer system operating a plurality of storage systemscomprising the storage logical partitioning function, this operationrelating to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a state after the old storage systems ID2, ID3 havebeen added to a system in which the new storage system ID0 is linked toa new storage system ID1 (actually, a system in which logical storagesIDA, IDB located in the new storage system ID0 are linked respectivelyto the logical storages IDC, IDD of the new storage system ID1). In thiscase, the management computer 100 performs control at a functional levelmatching that of the old storage system with the fewest number offunctions from among all the linked storage systems. This is done sothat the management computer 100 does not indicate a function that isnot actually installed at the storage system with few functions.Following the indication of the management computer 100, the new storagesystems ID0, ID1 operate in the representative mode. As shown in FIG.4B, during the operation in the representative mode, the new storagesystem does not report the presence of a logical storage system otherthan the representative logical storage system to the managementcomputer 100. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, the management computer100 cannot control the logical storage system (IDA) that have been usedheretofore if the old storage system is added. By contrast, in thepresent embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the new storage system 300 acan receive from the management computer 100 the control indicationrelating to the logical storage system other than the representativelogical storage system in order to enable the control of such a logicalstorage system that could not be controlled. This function is mainlyimplemented by the processor 1310 a executing the logical storageprogram 1220 a and input/output process program 1280 a. The managementcomputer 100 sends an inquiry to the new storage system before theaddition of the old storage system, and in the case where the presenceof the logical storage system configured by the new storage system hasalready been recognized, the control of the logical storage system ispossible. Here, as described hereinabove, the management computer 100acquires by an inquiry the information relating to the presence of thelogical storage system that can be managed by the management computer100, before the linking of the old storage system is started, by meansof the processor 120 executing the storage management program 112. As aresult, because the presence recognition has also been done with respectto the logical storage system configured in the new storage system thatstarted operating the representative mode via linking, as shown in FIG.5B the control indication can be made to the logical storage system(IDA) different from the representative logical storage system by theprocessor 120 executing the storage logical program 112.

The operation of the storage logical partitioning function will bedescribed below in greater detail.

FIG. 6 is a configuration drawing illustrating the logical storageinformation that is managed in the storage system of the embodiment ofthe present invention.

Logical storage information 1290 a includes a logical storage ID 20A,logical cache information 20B, an allocation port 20C, a logical storagevolume management pointer 20D, a logical storage copy pair pointer 20E,and a representative flag 20F.

The logical storage ID 20A is a unique identifier assigned to thelogical storage system. In the present embodiment, an identifier of thestorage system 300 a is assigned as an identifier of one predeterminedlogical storage system (also referred to as “representative logicalstorage system”) from among a plurality of logical storage systems.Logical cache information 20B is information used for partitioning thecache memory 1100 a located inside the storage controller 1000 a; thisinformation includes partitioning capacity information (for example, acapacity of 3 GB), which is information describing the capacity of apartitioned portion) and cache memory area information (start address,end address) describing the partitioned portion. The allocation port 20Chold information indicating a port that was allocated to the logicalstorage system from among the ports of a plurality of data communicationlink 500 present in the input/output controller 1300 a of the storagecontroller 1000 a. For example, if the port is allocated to the logicalstorage system, the data describing this port is held as “1”. Forexample, when eight ports are present in the storage controller 1000 aand two of these ports are allocated to the logical storage system, theinformation of the allocation port is “11000000”. The logical storagevolume management pointer 20D is information indicating the location ofthe logical storage volume management information 1260 a saved in theshared memory 1200 a. The logical storage copy pair management pointer20E is information indicating the location of the logical storage copypair management information 1270 a saved in the shared memory 1200 a.The representative flag 20F is information indicating whether thestorage system is a representative logical storage system. When thecorresponding logical storage system is a representative logical storagesystem, the representative flag information is set, for example, to “1”.

FIG. 7 is a configuration drawing illustrating the logical storagevolume management information that is managed in the storage system ofthe embodiment of the present invention.

The logical storage volume management information 1260 a includes alogical storage logical volume ID 24A and a logical volume ID 24B. Thelogical storage logical volume ID 24A is an identifier that isindividually assigned so as to enable the unique identification of alogical volume in a logical storage system. The logical volumes ID 24Bare identifiers managed in bulk by the storage controller 1000 a withrespect to the logical volumes for which logical volumes of the logicalstorage system were allocated. Here, the logical volumes managed in bulkby the storage controller 1000 a will be referred to as “enclosurelogical volume” in order to distinguish it from the logical volume inthe logical storage system.

FIG. 8 is a configuration drawing illustrating the logical storage copypair management information that is managed in the storage system of theembodiment of the present invention.

The logical storage copy pair management information 1270 a includes alogical storage copy group ID 25A and a copy group ID 25B. The logicalstorage copy group ID 25A is a unique identifier in a logical storagesystem relating to a copy group that manages the copy pairs in bulk. Thecopy group ID 25B is an identifier of a copy group that is managed inbulk by the storage controller 1000 a and corresponds to the copy groupID assigned to the logical storage system. Here, the copy group ID thatis managed in bulk by the storage controller 1000 a will be referred toas an enclosure copy group ID.

FIG. 9 is a configuration drawing of copy pair management informationmanaged in the storage system of the embodiment of the presentinvention.

The copy pair management information 1210 (1210 a, 1210 b) includes alogical volume ID 21A, copying status information 21B, a copy objectstorage ID 21C, a copy object logical volume ID 21D, a copy group ID21E, a copy type 21F, a logical storage ID 21G, and a copy pair ID 21H.

The logical volume ID 21A is a unique identifier of a logical volumeprovided by the storage system 300 that stores the copy pair managementinformation 1210. The copying status information 21B indicates thepresent status of copying with respect to the logical volume identifierby the logical volume ID 21A. More specifically, the copying statusinformation 21B indicates which status is assumed by the logical volumeidentified by the logical volume ID 21A: primary volume, copy objectvolume, initial copying, suspending, or abnormal. The copy objectlogical volume ID 21D is a unique identifier of a logical volume thatbecomes a copy pair with the logical volume identified by the logicalvolume ID 21A. In other words, the copy object logical volume ID 21D isa unique identifier of a logical volume that becomes a copyingdestination or copying source for data stored in the logical volumeidentified by the logical volume ID 21A. The copy object storage ID 21Cis a unique identifier of a storage system 300 providing a logicalvolume that forms a copy pair with the logical volume identified by thelogical volume ID 21A. In other words, the copy object storage ID 21C isa unique identifier of the storage system 300 providing a logical volumethat is identified by the copy object logical volume ID 21D. The copypair ID 21H is a unique identifier of a copy pair comprising a logicalvolume identified by the logical volume ID 21A and the logical volumeidentified by the copy object logical volume ID 21D.

The copy group ID 21E is a unique identifier of a copy group to whichthe copy pair identified by the copy pair ID 21H belongs. The storagesystem 300 manages a copy group comprising at least one copy pair.Therefore, the management computer 100 can designate a copy group andindicate suspension, restart, or cancellation of the remote copyingoperation. The copy type 21F indicates the class of copying executedwith respect to a copy pair that is identified by the copy pair ID 21H.More specifically, the copy type 21F stores either synchronous copyingor asynchronous copying. The logical storage ID 21G is an identifierthat enables unique identification of a logical storage system. It isused in exchange with the storage logical partitioning function.

FIG. 10 is a configuration drawing of volume management informationmanaged in the storage system of the embodiment of the presentinvention.

The volume management information 1250 (1250 a, 1250 b) includes alogical volume ID 22A, volume status information 22B, a capacity 22C, acopy pair ID 22D, a copy group ID 22E, and a logical storage ID 22F.

The logical volume ID 22A is a unique identifier of a logical volumeprovided by a storage system 300 that stores the volume managementinformation 1250. The volume status information 22B indicates thepresent status of the logical volume identified by the logical volume ID22A. More specifically, the volume status information 22B stores atleast one of primary, secondary, normal, abnormal, or not-used statuses.For example, when the logical volume identified by the logical volume ID22A is a primary volume, the volume status information 22B stores“primary volume”. Further, when the logical volume identified by thelogical volume ID 22A is a copy object volume, the volume statusinformation 22B stores “secondary volume”. When the logical volumeidentified by the logical volume ID 22A can be normally accessed by thehost computer 200, the volume status information 22B stores “normal”.When the logical volume identified by the logical volume ID 22B cannotbe normally accessed by the host computer 200, the volume statusinformation 22B stores “abnormal”. For example, when the disk drive 1500malfunctions or remote copying fails, the volume status information 22Bstores “abnormal”. When no data are stored in the logical volumeindicated by the logical volume ID 22A, “not used” is stored in thevolume status information 22B.

The capacity 22C is a capacity of the logical volume indicated by thelogical volume ID 22A. The copy pair ID 22D is a unique identifierincluding the logical volume identified by the logical volume ID 22A.The group ID 22E is a unique identifier of a copy group including thecopy pair identified by the copy pair ID 22D. The logical storage ID 22Fis a unique identifier enabling the unique identification of a logicalstorage system. This identifier is used in storage logical partitioningfunction exchange.

FIG. 11 is a configuration drawing of an IO request for performingexchange between the storage system and management computer in theembodiment of the present invention.

The IO request 7300 is an input/output request issued by the managementcomputer 100 or host computer 200 and transmitted to the storage system300. The IO request 7300 includes an address 30A, indicated contents30B, and necessary information 30C.

The address 30A stores an identifier of a logical volume and anidentifier of the storage system 300 that is a transmission destinationof an IO request 7300. In the present embodiment, for example, in thecase of the IO request 7300 sent by the host, the address 30A stores thestorage ID and volume ID provided to the host computer 200. An indicatedcontents 30B is the contents of processing indicated by the IO request7300. For example, the indicated contents 30B is a remote copyingcontrol indication, storage reference indication, or data accessindication. More specifically, indications to start, suspend, restart,cancel, or acquire status are stored as the remote copying controlindication. Further, storage system information acquisition is stored asa storage reference indication. Write or read is stored as a data accessindication.

Remote copying configuration information, option information thatcomplements the IO request 7300, and data that are requested to be readby the IO request 7300 are stored in necessary information 30C. Forexample, a copy type, a storage ID of copy destination, a logical volumeID of copy destination, a storage ID of copy source, a logical volume IDof copy source, a copy group ID, and a copy option are included in thecopy configuration information. Further, when a request is issued fromthe management computer 100, an emulation level that is informationindicating the functional level provided by computer system is stored inthe necessary information 30C.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory drawing of the emulation level.

As shown in FIG. 15, a function provided by the storage system orcomputer system can be defined by employing the emulation level. Forexample, when the emulation level is a, the storage logical partitioningfunction cannot be used, but when the emulation level is γ, storagelogical partitioning function can be used. Further, when the emulationlevel is α, the remote copying function cannot be used, but at theemulation level β, the remote copying function can be used. Theemulation levels satisfy the following relationship: α<β<γ.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart relating to processing during IO requestreception in a storage system comprising the storage logicalpartitioning function of the embodiment of the present invention.

If the storage controller 1000 a receives the IO request 7300, theprocessor 1310 a of the I/O controller 1300 a specifies a port thatreceived the IO request 7300. The processor 1310 a then refers tological storage management information 1290 a located in the sharedmemory 1200 a and specifies the logical storage system to which the portcorresponds. In the case where the specification result indicated thatthe representative flag 20F of the corresponding logical storagemanagement information 1290 a is “1” (step 6100, Yes), the storagelogical partitioning processing is implemented in the representativemode to disclose the logical storage system to the external device in astatus identical to the usual storage system (step 6140). Implementingthe storage logical partitioning processing in the representative modemeans that the logical storage ID is identical to the storage ID of thestorage system 300 a, in other cases the processing is identical to thebelow-described storage logical partitioning processing.

When the result of specifying a logical storage system is such that therepresentative flag 20F of the logical storage information 1290 acorresponding to the logical storage system is “0” (step 6100, No), theprocessor 1310 a examines the indicated contents 30B of the IO request7300 and determines whether this request is a data access request (step6110).

When the IO request 7300 is a data access request (step 6110, Yes), thebelow described storage logical partitioning processing is implemented(step 6150). On the other hand, when the IO request 7300 is not a dataaccess request (step 6110, No), the emulation level of the IO request7300 is studied. When the emulation level is γ or higher (step 6120,Yes), or when the emulation level is below γ (step 6120, No) and theindicated contents 30B of the IO request 7300 is not the storagereference indication (step 6130, No), the storage logical partitioningprocessing is implemented (step 6150).

As a result, even when the emulation level is a low value indicatingthat the logical partitioning function is not present, if the IO request7300 is not a storage reference indication, the IO request 7300 is notimmediately considered as an error.

When the emulation level of the IO request is below γ (step 6120, No)and the indicated contents 30B of the IO request 7300 is the storagereference indication (step 6130, Yes), error processing is executed bywhich an error message indicating that the storage system described inthe address 30A of the IO request 7300 is not present is reported to thetransmission source (step 6135), and the processing is ended. As aresult, the ID of logical storage system can be prevented from beingtransmitted to the management computer 100. Therefore, no problem isencountered even when the management computer 100 cannot recognize thelogical storage system.

Processing such as remote copying is implemented after the logicalpartitioning processing (step 6140, step 6150) has been completed. Thus,when the indicated contents 30B of the IO request 7300 is the remotecopying control (step 6160, Yes), the processor 1310 a examines whetherthe emulation level located in the IO request 7300 can be remotecopying. If the emulation level is β or more (step 6170, Yes), theprocessor 1310 a implements remote copying (step 6185). On the otherhand, if the emulation level is less than β, the processor 1310 aexecutes the error processing by reporting an error message indicatingthat the remote copying processing cannot be executed in the storagesystem to the request source of the IO request 7300 (step 6180).

When the indicated contents 30B of the IO request 7300 is the executionof a predetermined function (for example, local copying) other thanremote copying (step 6190, Yes), the processor 1310 a examines whetherthe emulation level located in the IO request 7300 can be the executionof the predetermined function. If the emulation level is a or more (step6200, Yes), the processor 1310 a executes the predetermined function(step 6210). On the other hand, if the emulation level is less than α,the processor 1310 a executes the error processing by reporting an errormessage indicating that the local copying processing cannot be executedin the storage system to the request source of the IO request 7300 (step6220).

With the above-described processing, even when the emulation level is alow value indicating that the logical partitioning function is notpresent, if the IO request 7300 is not a storage reference indication,the logical partitioning processing can be implemented and, if thesystem configuration can link and execute a predetermined function suchas remote copying, then the predetermined function can be executed.

The logical partitioning processing executed by the storage logicalpartitioning function of the storage system 1000 a will be explainedbelow.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of logical partitioning processing executed bythe storage system of the embodiment of the present invention.

In logical partitioning processing, the processor 1310 a of the I/Ocontroller 1300 a refers to the address 30A of the IO request 7300received by the IO transmission-reception unit 1320 a. Then, theprocessor 1310 a uses the logical storage logical volume managementinformation 1260 a located in the shared memory 1200 a and converts thelogical volume ID described in the address 30A to a enclosure logicalvolume ID (step 6000). The processor 1310 a then determines whether theIO request 7300 is a data access indication. When the IO request 7300 isa data access indication (step 6010, Yes), the processor 1310 a readsthe input/output process program 1280 a from the shared memory 1200 a.After the input/output process program 1280 a has been read, theprocessor 1310 a implements the partition processing of the cacheaccording to the input/output process program 1280 a (step 6020). Thepartition processing of the cache is a processing by which the cachememory 1100 a held in the storage controller 1000 a can be used withrestriction only to the region stipulated by the logical cacheinformation 20B of the logical storage information 1290 a. Actually, theprocessor 1310 a can implement data arrangement in the cache memory 1100a by using as a logical cache memory the region that is stipulated bythe logical cache information 20B.

When the indicated contents 30B of the IO request 7300 is not the dataaccess indication (step 6010, No), the processor 1310 a determineswhether it is another function of the storage system. In step 6030, theprocessor 1310 a determines whether it is a remote copying controlindication. When it is a remote copying control indication (step 6030,Yes), the processor performs the conversion of the copy group ID. Thus,the processor 1310 a, refers to the logical storage copy pair managementinformation 1270 a from the shared memory 1200 a and specifies aenclosure copy group ID corresponding to the copy group ID indicated inthe necessary information 30C of the IO request 7300 in order to convertthe copy group ID (step 6040).

Further, when a function of the storage system other than the remotecopying, for example, a local copying function of implementing copyingbetween logical volumes in the storage system, is present (step 6050,Yes), the processor 1310 a executes the conversion procedure of copygroup ID that becomes necessary with the local copy function (step6060).

The remote copying processing operation implemented between a pluralityof storage systems 300 a, 300 b of the embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below.

The remote processing has two processes: initial copying and stationarycopying. The initial copying is a processing in which contents of thelogical volume of the storage system that is the copying destination ismatched with contents of the logical volume that is the copying source.The stationary copying is a copying processing that is implemented afterthe end of the initial copying; in this processing, the host computer200 copies the writing into the logical volume that is the copyingsource to the logical volume that is the copying destination.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart relating to the initial copying in the remotecopying operation implemented in the storage system of the embodiment ofthe present invention. In the present flowchart, the case of remotecopying from the logical volume of a representative logical storagesystem of the storage system 300 a to the logical volume of the storagesystem 300 b is described by way of an example.

The I/O controller 1300 a of the storage controller 1000 a of thestorage system 300 a that is the copying source (in the explanation ofthis processing, this storage system will be referred to hereinbelow asa primary storage system 300 a) stars the initial copying processing ifthe IO request 7300 indicating the start of remote copying is received.Before this point in time, the storage logical partitioning processing(step 6140 step 6150) has already been implemented, and the I/Ocontroller 1300 a of the primary storage system 300 a has acquired theenclosure copy group ID relating to the remote copying.

The I/O controller 1300 a of the primary storage system 300 a createsthe copy pair management information 1210 a based on the copyconfiguration information extracted from the IO request 7300 (step7010). More specifically, the I/O controller 1300 a stores “initialcopying” in the copying status information 21B of the copy pairmanagement information 1210 a. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a storesthe logical volume ID acquired by the storage logical partitioningprocessing as a logical volume of the copying source in the logicalvolume ID 21A of the copy pair management information 1210 a. Further,the I/O controller 1300 a also stores the storage ID of the copyingdestination that is contained in the copy configuration information inthe copy object storage ID 21C of the copy pair management information1210 a. The processor 1310 a of the I/O controller 1300 a stores thelogical volume ID of the copy destination contained in the copyconfiguration information in the copy object volume ID 21D of the copypair management information 1210 a. Then, the I/O controller 1300 astores a value that does not overlap other copy pairs in the copy pairID 21H of the copy pair management information 1210 a. The I/Ocontroller 1300 a then stores the copy group ID acquired by the storagelogical partitioning processing in the copy group ID 21E of the copypair management information 1210 a. Then, the I/O controller 1300 astores the copy type contained in the copy configuration information inthe copy type 21F of the copy pair management information 1210 a.

The I/O controller 1300 a of the primary storage system 300 a thenindicates the start of initial copying processing to the disk controlunit 1400 a (step 7020).

As a result, the disk controller 1400 a reads data from the disk drive1500 corresponding to the logical disk identified by the logical volumeID 21A of the copy pair management information 1210 a. The diskcontroller 1400 a then stores the data that were read out in the cachememory 1100 a (step 7030).

Further, the disk controller 1400 a sends an address of the block fromwhich data have been read, the data length of the data that were readout, and the address on the cache memory 1100 a where the data have beenstored to the I/O controller 1300 a of the primary storage system 300 a.

As a result, the I/O controller 1300 a creates a data transfer frame1240 based on the information sent from the copy pair managementinformation 1210 a and disk controller 1400 a.

FIG. 12 is a configuration drawing of a data transfer frame that istransmitted and received during the remote copying between the storagesystems of the embodiment of the present invention.

The data transfer frame 1240 includes a logical volume ID 23A, a blockaddress 23B, a write data length 23C, transfer data D, a path number23E, and a transfer destination storage ID 23F.

Returning to FIG. 19, the I/O controller 1300 a of the primary storagesystem 300 a stores the copy object storage ID 21C of the copy pairmanagement information 1210 a in the logical volume ID 23A of the datatransfer frame 1240. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a stores the addressof the block sent from the disk controller 1400 a in the block address23B of the data transfer frame 1240. Then, the I/O controller 1300 astores the data length sent from the disk controller 1400 a in thetransfer data length 23C of the data transfer frame 1240. Then, the I/Ocontroller 1300 a saves all the data that have been stored in the cachememory 1100 a or part thereof in the transfer data 23D of the datatransfer frame 1240. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a stores the order inwhich the data transfer frame 1240 was created in the initial copying inthe path number 23E of the data transfer frame 1240. In addition, theI/O controller 1300 a stores the copy object storage ID 21C of thecopy-pair management information 1210 in the transfer destinationstorage ID 23F of the data transfer frame 1240.

The I/O controller 1300 a of the primary storage system 300 a transmitsthe created data transfer frame 1240 to the secondary storage system 300b that is the copy destination (step 7040). The transmitted datatransfer frame 1240 has added thereto the identifier of the storagesystem that is the transmission source. With the settings of the presentflowchart, the remote copying is performed from the logical volume ofthe representative logical storage system of the storage system 300 a tothe logical volume of the storage system 300 b, and the transmission isperformed after adding an identifier that indicates the primary storagesystem 300 a as the identifier of the representative logical storagesystem. As a result, the storage system can be recognized in the storagesystem 300 b without any obstacle.

As a result, the I/O controller 1300 b of the storage controller 1400 bof the secondary storage system 300 b receives the data transfer frame1240. Then, the I/O controller 1300 b of the secondary storage system300 b generates a copy pair management information 1210 b based on thereceived data transfer frame 1240 (step 7050). More specifically, theI/O controller 1300 b stores the logical volume ID 23A of the receiveddata transfer frame 1240 in the logical volume ID 21A of the copy pairmanagement information 1210 b. Then, the I/O controller 1300 b storesthe “initial copying” in the copying status information 21B of the copypair management information 1210 b. When the secondary storage system300 b comprises the storage logical partitioning function, it isnecessary to convert the logical volume ID of the copy destination tothe enclosure logical volume ID. Then, the I/O controller 1300 b storesthe identifier that indicates the primary storage system 300 a of thetransmission source that was transmitted as an addition to the receiveddata transfer frame 1240 in the copy object storage ID 21C of the copypair management information 1210 b. Then, the I/O controller 1300 bstores the identifier of the primary volume where the transfer data 23Dof the data transfer frame 1240 have been stored in the copy objectvolume ID 21D of the copy pair management information 1210 b. Then, theI/O controller 1300 b writes the transfer data 23D of the data transferframe 1240 in the logical volume identified by the logical volume ID 23Aof the data transfer frame 1240 (step 7060).

In the primary storage system 300 a and secondary storage system 300 b,all the data of the primary volume are stored in the secondary volume byrepeatedly executing the step 7030 to step 7060.

Then, the primary storage system 300 a and secondary storage system 300b end the initial copying processing. If the primary storage system 300ends the initial copying, the “primary volume” is stored in the copyingstatus information 21B of the copy pair management information 1210 a.The secondary storage system 300 b then stores the “secondary volume” inthe copying status information 21B of the copy pair managementinformation 1210 b.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart relating to stationary copying in the remotecopying implemented in the storage system of the embodiment of thepresent invention.

If the initial copying processing ends, the storage system 300 a startsstationary copying processing. In other words, the storage systems 300a, 300 b start the stationary copying processing after the data of theprimary volume and the data of the secondary volume match each other.

If the storage controller 1000 a of the primary storage system 300 areceives the IO request 7300 that is a write request, the I/O controller1300 a extracts data that are required to be written (write data) fromthe necessary information 30C of the IO request 7300. Then, the I/Ocontroller 1300 a extracts a storage ID for providing a host and avolume ID for providing a host from the address 30A of the IO request7300. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a acquires the enclosure logicalvolume ID by using the storage logical partitioning function. Then, theI/O controller 1300 a writes the extracted write data into the logicalvolume identified by the acquired enclosure logical volume ID.

The I/O controller 1300 a then creates a data transfer frame 1240 (step7250). More specifically, the I/O controller 1300 a of the primarystorage system 300 a selects a copy pair management information 1210 afor which the acquired logical volume ID and logical volume ID 21A matcheach other. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a extracts the copy objectstorage ID 21C and copy object volume ID 21D from the selected copy pairmanagement information 1210 a. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a storesthe extracted copy object volume ID 21D in the logical volume ID 23A ofthe data transfer frame 1240. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a stores theaddress of the block storing the write data in the block address 23B ofthe data transfer frame 1240. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a stores thesize of write data in the transfer data length 23D of the data transferframe 1240. Then, the I/O controller 1300 a stores all the write data orpart thereof in the transfer data 23D of the data transfer frame 1240.Then, the I/O controller 1300 a stores the sequence in which thetransfer frame 1240 was created in the stationary copying in the pathnumber 23E of the data transfer frame 1240. Then, the I/O controller1300 a stores the extracted copy object storage ID 21C in the transferdestination storage ID 23F of the data transfer frame 1240.

The I/O controller 1300 a of the primary storage system 300 a thentransmits the created data transfer frame 1240 to the secondary storagesystem 300 b (step 7260).

The I/O controller 1300 b of the storage controller 1000 b of thesecondary storage system 300 b receives the data transfer frame 1240. Asa result, the I/O controller 1300 b of the secondary storage system 300b writes the transfer data 23D of the data transfer frame 1240 in thelogical volume identified by the logical volume ID 23A of the datatransfer frame 1240 (step 7270). The storage systems 300 a, 300 bthereby end the stationary copying processing corresponding to one IOrequest.

The operation of the management computer 100 will be explained below.

FIG. 16 is a configuration drawing of a copy information table managedby the management computer of the embodiment of the present invention.

A copy information table 113 includes copy information 1A, copyingstatus information 1B, and copy configuration information 1C to 1F. Thecopy information 1A includes a copy type, an emulation level, and copyoption information. The copy type indicates whether the copying to bemanaged by the copy information table 113 is synchronous copying orasynchronous copying. The emulation level holds the minimum value fromamong the emulation levels held by all the storage systems 300 a, 300 b,etc., and storage management program 112 relating to the copying. Basedon the emulation level, it is possible to determine whether it is afunction that can be reliably executed by all the storage systems andmanagement computer. The copy option information indicates whetherwriting is possible to the secondary volume when the remote copying issuspended. The suspension of the remote copying is the termination ofremote copying based on the indication from the management computer 100.

The copying status information 1B indicates the present status ofcopying managed by the copy information table 113. More specifically,the copying status information 1B indicates which copying status ismanaged by the copying information table 113: initial copying,suspending, pair status, or abnormal.

The copy configuration information includes a primary storage system ID1C, primary volume ID 1D, secondary storage system ID 1E, and secondaryvolume ID 1F. The primary storage system ID 1C is a unique identifier ofthe storage system (primary storage system) 300 that provides a logicalvolume that becomes a copying source in the initial copying. The primaryvolume ID 1D is a unique identifier of a logical volume (primary volume)that becomes a copying source in the initial copying.

The secondary storage system ID 1E is a unique identifier of the storagesystem (secondary storage system) 300 that provides a logical volumethat becomes a copying destination in the initial copying. The secondaryvolume 1F is a unique identifier of a logical volume (secondary volume)that becomes a copying destination in the initial copying.

FIG. 17 is a configuration drawing of a storage system information tablemanaged by the management computer in the embodiment of the presentinvention.

The storage information table 114 includes a storage ID 4A, an emulationlevel 4B, and at least one logical volume ID 4C. The storage ID 4A is aunique identifier of the storage system 300 that is managed by themanagement computer 100. The emulation level 4B is an emulation levelheld by the storage system 300. The logical volume ID 4C is a uniqueidentifier of the logical volume provided by the storage system 300identified by the storage ID 4A.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of processing of the storage management programoperated in the management computer of the embodiment of the presentinvention.

If the processor 120 executes the storage management program 112 in themanagement computer 100, the processor acquires the information of aplurality of storage systems 300 in order to manage a plurality ofstorage systems. For this purpose, the processor 120 of the managementcomputer 100 issues an IO request 7300 containing a storage referenceindication to a plurality of storage systems 300 (300 a, 300 b),acquires the information of each storage system 300 from the storagesystem 300, and generates the storage information table 114 based on theacquired information (step 5000). A unique identifier of the storagesystem 300, an emulation level, or identifier of the managed logicalvolume serve as the information acquired from the storage system 300. Inthe present embodiment, the storage system 300 a can be operated as aplurality of logical storage systems in the storage system, but becausethe above-described processing illustrated by FIG. 19 is performed afterproviding the storage system 300 b, the identifier of the representativelogical storage system, that is, the identifier of the storage system300 a serves as a response to the storage reference indication of themanagement computer 100. Therefore, for the management computer 100 theidentifier of the storage system 300 a is stored in the storageinformation table 114.

The processor 120 of the management computer 100 then generates theconfiguration information necessary for the functions of each storagesystem. For example, in the case of remote copying, the copy informationtable 113 is generated (step 5010). The configuration information isgenerated according to the indication provided by the user making thesettings from the input device (not shown in the figure) provided in themanagement computer 100 or the host computer via the device control link550. For example, when the copy information table 113 is generated, theuser making the settings can select the primary storage system ID,secondary storage system ID, primary volume ID, and secondary volume IDfrom the information located in the response to the storage referenceindication to each storage system. As a result, when the representativelogical storage system of the storage system 300 a is selected, theidentifier of the storage system 300 a can be selected.

The control of functions of each storage system is then started usingthe configuration information generated in step 5010 (step 5020).

With the above-described storage system of the present embodiment, anidentifier of one logical storage system is taken as an identifier ofthe storage system and communication with an external device isperformed by using this identifier. Therefore, communication can beperformed without obstacles even in the case of a device that cannotrecognize the logical storage system. Therefore, for example, it ispossible to link a storage system that can recognize the storage logicalpartitioning and a storage system that cannot recognize the storagelogical partitioning.

Further, because an identifier of one logical storage system isdisclosed as an identifier of the storage system from a plurality ofstorage system configuring the logical storage system of the managementcomputer 100, the unimpeded operation can be conducted even with amanagement computer that does not correspond to the storage logicalpartitioning function.

The present invention was explained above based on one embodimentthereof, but the present invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiment and can be also applied to a variety of other modes.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an identifier of alogical storage system other than the representative logical storagesystem acquired prior to connection to the storage system 300 b can beselected, for example, the setting such as remote copying betweenstorage systems corresponding to the logical partitioning function maybe performed, and the processing such as remote copying from themanagement computer 100 to the storage system 300 a may be indicated. Inthis case, the indication of executable processing can be also receivedwith the storage system 300 a, and linked processing such as remotecopying between storage systems corresponding to the indicated logicalpartitioning function can be executed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the disk drive 1500 was usedas the volume of the storage system, but the present invention is notlimited to such a configuration. For example, the entire disk drive orat least part thereof may be replaced with a storage medium such asflash memory, and essentially any device capable of recording data maybe used.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling a computer system thatincludes a host computer and a first storage system comprising aplurality of logical storage systems, each of the plurality of logicalstorage systems including at least one logical volume, a logical storagesystem identifier, at least one logical volume identifier of the atleast one logical volume, and at least one enclosure logical volumeidentifier of the at least one logical volume, comprising the steps of:providing a first logical storage system identifier to the computer, thecomputer recognizing the first logical storage system with the firstlogical storage system identifier; providing a first logical volume anda first logical volume identifier of the first logical volume, whereinthe first logical volume identifier is a unique identification in thefirst logical storage systems and is used to uniquely recognize thefirst logical volume in the first logical storage system by the hostcomputer; receiving a write request designating the first logical volumeidentified using the first logical volume identifier from the hostcomputer; acquiring a first enclosure logical volume identifier of thefirst logical volume on the basis of an association between the firstlogical volume identifier and the first enclosure logical volumeidentifier, the first enclosure logical volume identifier being a uniqueidentification in the plurality of logical storage systems in the firststorage system and being used to uniquely identify the first logicalvolume in the plurality of logical storage systems in the first storagesystem by the first storage system; and writing write data of the writerequest into the first logical volume identified by the first enclosurelogical volume identifier.
 2. The method for controlling a computersystem according to claim 1, wherein the system further includes asecond storage system managing a second volume as at least one logicalvolume, the method further comprising the steps of: transmitting thewrite data to a second logical volume in the second storage system;receiving the transmitted write data; and writing the write data intothe second logical volume.
 3. A method for controlling a computer systemthat includes a host computer and a first storage system comprising aplurality of logical storage systems each of the plurality of logicalstorage systems including at least one logical volume, a logical storagesystem identifier, at least one logical volume identifier of the atleast one logical volume, and at least one enclosure logical volumeidentifier of the at least one logical volume, comprising the steps of:providing a first logical storage system identifier to the computer, thecomputer recognizing the first logical storage system with the firstlogical storage system identifier; providing a first logical volume anda first logical volume identifier of the first logical volume, whereinthe first logical volume identifier is a unique identification in thefirst logical storage systems and is used to uniquely recognize thefirst logical volume in the first logical storage system by the hostcomputer; receiving a write request designating the first logical volumeidentified using the first logical volume identifier from the hostcomputer; acquiring a first enclosure logical volume identifier of thefirst logical volume on the basis of an association between the firstlogical volume identifier and the first enclosure logical volumeidentifier, the first enclosure logical volume identifier being a uniqueidentification in the plurality of logical storage systems in the firststorage system and being used to uniquely identify the first logicalvolume in the plurality of logical storage systems in the first storagesystem by the first storage system; and writing write data of the writerequest into the first logical volume identified by the first enclosurelogical volume identifier.
 4. The method for controlling a computersystem according to claim 3, wherein the system further includes asecond storage system managing a second volume as at least one logicalvolume, the method further comprising the steps of: transmitting thewrite data to a second logical volume in the second storage system;receiving the transmitted write data; and writing the write data intothe second logical volume.
 5. A method for controlling a storage systemcomprising a plurality of logical storage systems each of the pluralityof logical storage systems including at least one logical volume, alogical storage system identifier, at least one logical volumeidentifier of the at least one logical volume, and at least oneenclosure logical volume identifier of the at least one logical volume,comprising the steps of: receiving a write request designating the firstlogical volume identified using the first logical volume identifier;acquiring a first enclosure logical volume identifier of the firstlogical volume on the basis of an association between the first logicalvolume identifier and the first enclosure logical volume identifier, thefirst enclosure logical volume identifier being a unique identificationin the plurality of logical storage systems in the storage system andbeing used to uniquely identify the first logical volume in theplurality of logical storage systems in the first storage system by thefirst storage system; and writing write data of the write request intothe first logical volume identified by the first enclosure logicalvolume identifier.